Pitcher rewarded for repeat effort

STOCKTON - Josh Bowman had his second consecutive strong outing, and this time the Ports starter was rewarded.

Mark Godi

STOCKTON - Josh Bowman had his second consecutive strong outing, and this time the Ports starter was rewarded.

Bowman allowed one run on six hits, striking out six over a season-best eight innings in a 7-2 win over the Visalia Rawhide before 1,475 fans on Tuesday at Stockton Ballpark.

On Thursday, Bowman did not get a decision after striking out a career-best 11, while allowing one earned run in a loss to Modesto.

"It feels good to get a win," Bowman said. "But wins come and go. You just got to go out and give your team a chance. That's all that matters."

In both outings, Bowman gave up his only earned run in the first inning. On Tuesday, it was a single and a double to start the game followed by a sacrifice fly.

Bowman didn't allow more than one hit in any inning after and was spelled by Blake Hassebrock. The first batter Hassebrock faced, David Peralta, ended the Ports relievers' streak of consecutive innings without a run allowed at 18 1/3 when he launched Hassebrock's first pitch over the right-field wall.

"Hassebrock has been throwing really well and that was kind of a fluke home run," Bowman said. "We'll take that in this kind of a game."

For the second night in a row, a second-inning home run gave Stockton the lead for good. Second baseman Antonio Lamas was given the night off and reserve Wade Kirkland hit a two-run shot to left. Kirkland, who also doubled and scored a run, finished 2 for 4.

B.A. Vollmuth had a solo home run in the fifth inning and drove in a run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth. Myrio Richard went 4 for 5 with a double and two RBI.